Torchwood: Miracle Day is the fourth installment of the hit BBC cult series (now taking place in L.A.) and revolves around this idea that there is a global conspiracy threatening the human race. People cease to die, which causes a huge population boom. The talented new cast includes Mekhi Phifer, Bill Pullman, Lauren Ambrose and Arlene Tur. We got to chat with Arlene who plays Dr. Vera Juarez, a tough surgeon who gets swept up in the mystery and begins to work alongside the CIA in search for answers. Arlene gave us deets on what we can expect, possible romances and why longtimeTorchwood fans should give this show a chance. Check out our full interview below!
Hi Arlene! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today.
No, thank you.
So Torchwood is huge. There are crazy, crazy fans. Did you watch the BBC show prior to being cast at all?
No, I didn’t know about it and since I got the audition, I looked into it and I was like, ‘This is huge!’ I realized what a fan base it had so I was really excited about it.
Can you tell us about your character a little bit?
Sure. Dr. Vera Juarez is a cardio surgeon. She is... I would say, she has a lot of integrity. She is very determined surgeon. She is very about her creed. And basically, she has gone into a position where all it leaves are questions with how she feels with this new phenomenon of immortality and how this could affect her job and everything that she knew to be true.
Did you do any research into the field after being cast?
As far as character work, I did a lot of it. I went to the ER; I shadowed a surgeon, because yeah, there is a certain way that each character forms for any role -- a character, how they think, how they talk to patients, even when they are talking to patients if they are really not about the answer the patient has given them, to look at what they did and their words while they’re checking their vital. It is very interesting to learn all the little tricks on the inside on what doctors are really doing when they are asking questions and how to handle all the instruments.
Right.
Actually, there are a lot of scenes that are not in the ER. We’re collaborating with the government and actually trying to get involved with the CIA, which is really funny for a career path for her in this kind of arena where she is taken out of comfort zone. So those were interesting to shoot. Also I build a little relationship with the Rex character after just operating and having saved his life. We have a little romance.
I was going to ask you about that (laughs)! And were you nervous at all because the series itself is so established?
No, I wasn’t! I was excited! It has a lot to do with the people involved, the producers and the cast that was already involved are so loving and welcoming it made everyone feel amazing.
I watched the promo and there is so much going on. What can we expect?
Hmm. I think it is a show that really challenges the viewers to really think about all kinds of experiences. There is a lot of comedy in it, there is a lot of action, scientific evidence, hospital scenes so you get the doctors, a lot of law scenes, city halls scenes, but a lot of times it is exposing issues and it challenges the viewer to where they stand on that issue whether it be the death penalty or your own mortality even. It’s just very complex. And I love how they include comedy throughout. So it is very entertaining. I was excited when I saw the first episode.
Great! So I know you graduated from college, which is somewhat rare in the industry. Was that important to you? And when did you get involved in acting?
For me, it was a priority, a priority for myself and my studies. Then when I graduated, I got into acting but I definitely wanted some sort of degree and a foundation.
Right. Now who is someone you really look up to in the industry?
Well, there are a bunch of people. As far as acting, I love Philip Seymour Hoffman. I love all the comedians and guys that have working together for so long, the Judd Apatow group. I love comedies so those are always fun.
You’ve done movies and you’ve done television, where eventually do you see your career heading?
Well, I like that I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of everything. I like a lot of action and I really enjoy comedy. So I would like to see myself maybe doing a sitcom in the near future with a studio audience. That would be great. But I would like to continue with my career the way it is going in that I am lucky I get to dabble in all the different areas. I’ve done action, comedy, drama.
You’ve also done hosting. Do you ever miss that?
Yeah, you know, I really liked to host. I think it is fun, especially when you enjoy your topic. I learned a lot of different things and I enjoyed it. I think there is a lot to be said when it is just you there and you don’t have to worry about getting the lines just right. It is just you shedding light on a topic or whatever it is you are hosting about. I think it was very natural for me.
Now I have to ask you about your guest stint on Grey’s Anatomy. I'm a huge fan and obviously, I remember you because you had a very memorable role (laughs).
Wasn’t that funny?
Editor's Note: Arlene played a patient with spontaneous orgasms.
Yeah, I just rewatched it and it is still so good!
Uncomfortable! So weird (laughs).
I know. What was that audition process like?
I thought of an uncomfortable person, someone that has a really big problem. And I think, it was one of those audition rooms, that you can hear the other person auditioning. Usually it hinders people, but for me, it really helps me. And in that case, I heard everybody. They actually had everybody orgasm and do the whole scene in the room. But I heard everybody blabbing and go a little crazy with it and I was like, ‘Did these people read the same script? She is miserable.’ So I think I had the most miserable orgasm they’ve ever seen and gave me the job.
That’s awesome (laughs). Was the set as hostile and dramatic as people said it was with all of the actors?
I did not feel that at all. I felt like, on the contrary, everybody was very open. And everybody was like “Oh God, you’re the orgasm lady! That’s great!” McDreamy was doing his make up and he was like, “Oh my god this is so funny! I love this character!” Everybody was open and happy to be there. I don’t know what happened afterwards but in my experience everyone was welcoming and appreciative of the other actors.
Cool. Now, do you watch a lot of TV? What are your favorite shows?
I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I do love It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I love ridiculous comedies and there are a lot of shows I like, but I wouldn’t say there are some that I religiously watch. It’s a matter of time more than it is anything else.
Definitely. Final question -- do you think fans of the show will be happy with Miracle Day?
I believe they will and I also believe they need to give it a chance because you can imagine the fans are like, "Why are they bringing it to America? Why do they take all our shows?" But in the case, it is more a collaboration. Like we aren’t stealing it and changing the content. It is complementary. It’s acknowledging they have a great thing going and we want to be a part of it. So I want the fans to know that we love the show and that we’re doing something great, and to be open-minded because it is brilliant. Really, really brilliant.
Great! Thanks so much, Arlene!
Thank you!
Hi Arlene! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me today.
No, thank you.
So Torchwood is huge. There are crazy, crazy fans. Did you watch the BBC show prior to being cast at all?
No, I didn’t know about it and since I got the audition, I looked into it and I was like, ‘This is huge!’ I realized what a fan base it had so I was really excited about it.
Can you tell us about your character a little bit?
Sure. Dr. Vera Juarez is a cardio surgeon. She is... I would say, she has a lot of integrity. She is very determined surgeon. She is very about her creed. And basically, she has gone into a position where all it leaves are questions with how she feels with this new phenomenon of immortality and how this could affect her job and everything that she knew to be true.
Did you do any research into the field after being cast?
As far as character work, I did a lot of it. I went to the ER; I shadowed a surgeon, because yeah, there is a certain way that each character forms for any role -- a character, how they think, how they talk to patients, even when they are talking to patients if they are really not about the answer the patient has given them, to look at what they did and their words while they’re checking their vital. It is very interesting to learn all the little tricks on the inside on what doctors are really doing when they are asking questions and how to handle all the instruments.
Right.
Actually, there are a lot of scenes that are not in the ER. We’re collaborating with the government and actually trying to get involved with the CIA, which is really funny for a career path for her in this kind of arena where she is taken out of comfort zone. So those were interesting to shoot. Also I build a little relationship with the Rex character after just operating and having saved his life. We have a little romance.
No, I wasn’t! I was excited! It has a lot to do with the people involved, the producers and the cast that was already involved are so loving and welcoming it made everyone feel amazing.
I watched the promo and there is so much going on. What can we expect?
Hmm. I think it is a show that really challenges the viewers to really think about all kinds of experiences. There is a lot of comedy in it, there is a lot of action, scientific evidence, hospital scenes so you get the doctors, a lot of law scenes, city halls scenes, but a lot of times it is exposing issues and it challenges the viewer to where they stand on that issue whether it be the death penalty or your own mortality even. It’s just very complex. And I love how they include comedy throughout. So it is very entertaining. I was excited when I saw the first episode.
Great! So I know you graduated from college, which is somewhat rare in the industry. Was that important to you? And when did you get involved in acting?
For me, it was a priority, a priority for myself and my studies. Then when I graduated, I got into acting but I definitely wanted some sort of degree and a foundation.
Right. Now who is someone you really look up to in the industry?
Well, there are a bunch of people. As far as acting, I love Philip Seymour Hoffman. I love all the comedians and guys that have working together for so long, the Judd Apatow group. I love comedies so those are always fun.
You’ve done movies and you’ve done television, where eventually do you see your career heading?
Well, I like that I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of everything. I like a lot of action and I really enjoy comedy. So I would like to see myself maybe doing a sitcom in the near future with a studio audience. That would be great. But I would like to continue with my career the way it is going in that I am lucky I get to dabble in all the different areas. I’ve done action, comedy, drama.
You’ve also done hosting. Do you ever miss that?
Yeah, you know, I really liked to host. I think it is fun, especially when you enjoy your topic. I learned a lot of different things and I enjoyed it. I think there is a lot to be said when it is just you there and you don’t have to worry about getting the lines just right. It is just you shedding light on a topic or whatever it is you are hosting about. I think it was very natural for me.
Now I have to ask you about your guest stint on Grey’s Anatomy. I'm a huge fan and obviously, I remember you because you had a very memorable role (laughs).
Wasn’t that funny?
Editor's Note: Arlene played a patient with spontaneous orgasms.
Yeah, I just rewatched it and it is still so good!
Uncomfortable! So weird (laughs).
I know. What was that audition process like?
I thought of an uncomfortable person, someone that has a really big problem. And I think, it was one of those audition rooms, that you can hear the other person auditioning. Usually it hinders people, but for me, it really helps me. And in that case, I heard everybody. They actually had everybody orgasm and do the whole scene in the room. But I heard everybody blabbing and go a little crazy with it and I was like, ‘Did these people read the same script? She is miserable.’ So I think I had the most miserable orgasm they’ve ever seen and gave me the job.
That’s awesome (laughs). Was the set as hostile and dramatic as people said it was with all of the actors?
I did not feel that at all. I felt like, on the contrary, everybody was very open. And everybody was like “Oh God, you’re the orgasm lady! That’s great!” McDreamy was doing his make up and he was like, “Oh my god this is so funny! I love this character!” Everybody was open and happy to be there. I don’t know what happened afterwards but in my experience everyone was welcoming and appreciative of the other actors.
Cool. Now, do you watch a lot of TV? What are your favorite shows?
I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I do love It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I love ridiculous comedies and there are a lot of shows I like, but I wouldn’t say there are some that I religiously watch. It’s a matter of time more than it is anything else.
Definitely. Final question -- do you think fans of the show will be happy with Miracle Day?
I believe they will and I also believe they need to give it a chance because you can imagine the fans are like, "Why are they bringing it to America? Why do they take all our shows?" But in the case, it is more a collaboration. Like we aren’t stealing it and changing the content. It is complementary. It’s acknowledging they have a great thing going and we want to be a part of it. So I want the fans to know that we love the show and that we’re doing something great, and to be open-minded because it is brilliant. Really, really brilliant.
Great! Thanks so much, Arlene!
Thank you!
